2019 Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe - Final stretch before departure!
by Veronique Largeau 8 Mar 2019 13:20 PST
23 March - 14 April 2019
Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle © Robin Christol
Part of the French Sailing Federation's Class40 programme, this new event organised by Grand Pavois Organisation will depart from Guadeloupe on Saturday 23 March so that the crews (minimum of two people aboard) arrive in Horta in the Azores, then in La Rochelle, the arrival port for this first edition.
Although the boats will be gathered together from 19 March in the inner harbour of Pointe-à-Pitre, they will set sail from Guadeloupe on Saturday 23 March with a view to initially arriving in Horta, in the Azores, more than 2,200 miles away. A first interesting stage in terms of the weather conditions since it will be necessary to head northwards to find a westerly wind system, but remain sufficiently far south to avoid the effects of low pressures that may be more or less strong at this time of year.
The stopover at the Marina of Horta, the partner of this first edition, will be interesting in that it will allow a second part of the race in contact, with a grouped arrival in La Rochelle, the opportunity for some to change over crew members (two-man team qualification for the forthcoming Transat Jacques Vabre), and also to better evaluate the weather conditions as they near the arrival point (1,200 miles away).
Although the departure from Horta is currently scheduled for Monday 8 April, the boats should arrive in the city with two towers on Saturday 13 / Sunday 14 April. It should be noted that the prize ceremony is scheduled for Monday 15 April in order to allow the Class40 enough time to prepare for other competitions in the year's programme.
In short, about 3,500 nautical miles along a route that is highly uncertain at this time of the year, where powerful weather systems circulate and may require competitors to make drastic route choices.With a team-mate or a reduced crew, the Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle replies in all aspects to the requirements of the Class40, always hungry for new experiences and new horizons.
Departure from the Guadeloupe Region, off the coast of Pointe-à-Pitre!
The departure of this first edition of the Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle will be from Pointe-à-Pitre on Saturday 23 March at 11 am, local time. A coastal route will have to be completed before leaving Guadeloupe and will promote the treasures and diversity of the archipelago's islands. Note that it is the first time that an Atlantic return race will depart from Guadeloupe.
Who will be on the start line of this first Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle?
13 crews are registered for this first Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle:
- Loïc Fequet (Tibco 123)
- Aymeric Chappellier (Aïna Enfance et Avenir 151)
- Marc Dubos (Esprit Scout 81)
- Miranda Merron (Campagne de France 147)
- Franz Bouvet (Yoda 65)
- Morgane Ursault-Poupon (Fleury Michon Bio 30)
- Arthur Hubert (Athena Groupe Immobilier Mer Entreprendre - 152)
- Emmanuel Le Roch (Edenred 100)
- Charles-Louis Mourruau (Lost Boys 101)
- Luke Berry (Lamotte Module Création 153)
- Catherine Pourre (Earendil 145)
- Kito De Pavant (Made in Midi 142)
- Andréa Fantini (Enel Green Power - 55)
List of crews here
The highlights of the Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle
- Presence of the boats in the inner harbour of Pointe-à-Pitre from Tuesday 19 March.
- Departure of the Défi Atlantique Guadeloupe > Horta > La Rochelle on Saturday 23 March at 11 am
- Second departure from Horta in the Azores on Monday 8 April at 1 pm
- ETA in La Rochelle on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April
- Prize Ceremony on Monday 15 April at 6 pm